Created by–
For P.I. GEORGE VALENTINE, the main character in the old radio program Let George Do It, it certainly paid to advertise. He got his cases and clients by running an ad in the newspapers:
“Personal Notice: Danger is my stock-in-trade. If the job is too tough for you to handle, you’ve got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details.”
It was a nifty gimmick, and one that would be used later as the opening for Box 13, another radio series starring Alan Ladd.
This long-running series showed the evolution of the main characters. In early episodes, George’s deductive powers and scientific skills were emphasized over his brawn, and Brooksie was the typical Girl Friday, and the show was pretty much played for laughs. But as the show evolved, the tone grew a bit more serious and even a little gritty at times. Fortunately, George could mix it up with the best of them, and Brooksie–perhaps seeing a whole new side of her boss– set her sights on him (as one did in Radio Detective Land).
There were also some curious aspects to the show. The lead was always announced using the formal version of his first name — he was introduced as “Robert” Bailey. A few years later, of course, he was known as Bob Bailey, the lead of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Also unusual was the music for this series. In the early years the theme music was bright and breezy – more like that of a situation comedy. Later, new music, darker and more suitable for a detective show was used.
And possibly pre-guessing Kookie in television’s 77 Sunset Strip, Joseph Kearns played Caleb, a snarky elevator attendant, who could always be counted on for a wisecrack or two.
RADIO
- LET GEORGE DO IT
(1946-55, Mutual-Don Lee)
414 episodes; 199 episodes are available
First Broadcast: October 18, 1946
Last Broadcast: January 12, 1955
Writers: David Victor, Jackson Gillis, Polly Hopkins, and others
Directors: Don Clark and Kenneth Webb
Music: Eddie Dunstedter
Starring Robert “Bob” Bailey (and later Olan Soulé) as GEORGE VALENTINE
and Frances Robinson (later Virginia Gregg, and Lillian Buyeff) as Claire “Brooksie” Brooks
With Eddie Firestone Jr. as Sonny the Office Boy
Joseph Kearns as Caleb the Elevator Operator
Ken Christy as Lieutenant Johnson
And Joseph Kearns as Caleb
Annoucer: John Hiestand.- “Audition the First Client” (May 14, 1946)
- “Cousin Jeff and the Pigs” (October 18, 1946)
- “The Brookdale Orphanage” (October 25, 1946)
- “Close Call” (July 12, 1948)
- “Deadman Who Was Murdered” (July 19, 1948)
- “Seven Murder” (July 26, 1948)
- “Money Makers” (August 2, 1948)
- “Perfect Specimen” (August 9, 1948)
- “Ghost of Bliss Terrace” August 16, 1948)
- “Corpse That Took A Powder” (August 23, 1948)
- “Minor Case of Murder” (August 30, 1948)
- “Impatient Redhead” (September 6, 1948)
- “The Father Who Had Nothing” (September 20, 1948)
- “Death Wears a Gray Sports Coat” (October 18, 1948)
- “The Hearse Was Painted Pink” (September 13, 1948)
- “Till Death Do Us Part” (January 24, 1949)
- “Mayhem by Experts” (January 31, 1949)
- “Destination: Dead-End” (February 14, 1949)
- “Journey Into Hate” (February 21, 1949)
- “The Roundabout Murder” (March 7, 1949)
- “The Motif is Murder” (March 14, 1949)
- “Stranger Than Fiction” (May 23, 1949)
- “A Matter of Doubt” (May 30, 1949)
- “The Problem of Joe Martin” (September 15, 1949)
- “The Coward” (September 22, 1949)
- “Follow That Train” (December 19, 1949, MBS)
- “The Picture With A Black Frame” (May 8, 1950)
- “The Ant Hill” (May 15, 1950)
- “Sudden Storm” (May 29, 1950)
- “The Witch Of Mill Hollow” (June 5, 1950)
- “The Iron Cat” (June 12, 1950)
- “Solo In Whispers” (June 19, 1950)
- “Most Likely To Die” (June 26, 1950)
- “The Scream Of The Eagle” (July 3, 1950;
- “Opportunity Knocks Twice” (July 12, 1950)
- “Eleven O’Clock” (July 17, 1950)
- “The Golden Lizard” (July 24, 1950)
- “The Voice Of The Giant” (July 31, 1950)
- “Sweet Are The Uses Of Publicity” (August 7, 1950)
- “The High Price Of A Penny” (August 14, 1950)
- “The Treasure Of Millie’s Wharf” (August 21, 1950)
- “High Card” (August 28, 1950)
- “Second Degree Affection” (September 4, 1950)
- “Bookworm Turns” (December 10, 1950)
- “Santa Claus in Glass” (December 25, 1950)
- “Man Behind The Frame” (January 8, 1951)
- “Tune On A Triangle” (December 15, 1951)
- “Knock on Wood” (December 22, 1951)
- “Christmas In January” (January 29, 1951)
- “War Maneuver” (April 21/1952)
- “Operation Europa” (April 28, 1952)
Preliminary report respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
